The Isolated Form of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder: The Upcoming Challenges

Abstract

The diagnosis of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (SBD) requires videopolysomnography detection of excessive electromyographic activity during REM sleep, which is time consuming and difficult. An easier, faster, reliable, and reproducible methodology is needed for its diagnosis. The isolated form of RBD represents an early manifestation of the synucleinopathies Parkinson disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. There is a need to find neuroprotective drugs capable of preventing parkinsonism and dementia onset in isolated RBD. Clonazepam and melatonin ameliorate the RBD symptoms, but therapeutic alternatives are needed when these medications fail or show produce side effects.

Keywords: Dementia with Lewy bodies; Multiple system atrophy; Neuroprotection; Parkinson disease; REM sleep behavior disorder; Synucleinopathy.